A protozoan infection of the lungs. Symptoms: Dry hacking cough, shortness of breath, an unusual chest discomfort, fevers and/or difficulty walking up stairs.
A form of pneumonia that commonly appears in persons whose immune systems are highly suppressed such as those with AIDS.
A life-threatening lung infection that affects people with a weakened immune system. More than 75 percent of HIV-positive people may develop PCP if they don't receive treatment.
An infection of the lungs caused by Pneumocystis carinii, which is thought to be a protozoa but may be more closely related to a fungus. P. carinii grows rapidly in the lungs of persons with AIDS and is a frequent AIDS- related cause of death. P. carinii infection sometimes may occur elsewhere in the body (skin, eye, spleen, liver, or heart). The standard treatment for persons with PCP is either a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX, also called Bactrim or Septra), dapsone, or pentamidine.
An infection in the lungs very common in persons living with HIV.
pneumonia occurring in infants or in persons with impaired immune systems (as AIDS victims)
Pneumonia caused by a fungus (a germ) called pneumocystis carinii. Pneumonia is a swelling of the tissue of the lungs.
a fungal inflamation of the lungs, commonly abbreviated PCP. PCP was once the leading cause of death of people with HIV Disease. Today it is still dangerous but is often treatable and preventable. PCP is considered an AIDS-defining condition in the United States.
a life-threatening type of pneumonia believed to be caused by a protozoan. PCP is a common infection that can cause severe illness in immunocompromised people (especially those with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mm3); it remains a leading cause of death in people with AIDS. Symptoms include dry cough, fever, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Pneumocystis carinii can also infect other parts of the body. First-line treatment and primary prophylaxis is TMP-SMX (Bactrim, Septra); other treatments and prophylaxes include dapsone, pentamidine and atovaquone.
A parasitic infection of the lungs that is particularly common and life-threatening in immunosuppressed persons. Prophylaxis is available to prevent PCP.
A lung infection that causes the greatest number of deaths in people who are HIV positive. It is both treatable and preventable.